"GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF NEW YORK, "ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, "ALBANY, February 18, 1910. "Honorable CHARLES E. HUGHES, Governor of State of New York, Executive Chamber, Albany, N. Y.: "I have the honor to submit the following brief relative to Senate bill, Int. No. 61, printed No. 61, introduced by Mr. Holden: "An act directing the adjutant-general of the state of New York to deliver the battle flag of the twelfth regiment of New York state volunteers, which was presented to said regiment by the ladies of Syracuse, New York, to the Veteran Volunteer Association of said regiment, by depositing the same in the Onondaga county clerk's office." passed by the Senate February 2d, by the Assembly, February 3d, and referred to you for action February 10th. "The following data is based on New York in the War of the Rebellion' compiled by the late General Frederick Phisterer. This publication is considered authentic particularly with reference to origin of organization and muster of commands for service in the War of the Rebellion. Page 384, the sketch of the 12th Regiment of Infantry, refers to such organization as the Onondaga Regiment, Independence Guard, The Dozen. These names apply to different periods of the existence of the command. "The following is the record of the original organization: "Company A was organized at Syracuse, April 23, 1861, and arrived at Elmira, May 2, 1861. "Company B was organized at Syracuse, April 26, 1861, and arrived at Elmira, May 2, 1861. Company C was organized at Syracuse, April 26, 1861, and arrived at Elmira, May 2, 1861. "Company D was organized at Homer, Cortland county, April 23, 1861, and arrived at Elmira, May 2, 1861. "Company E was organized at Syracuse, April 26, 1861, and arrived at Elmira, May 2, 1861. Company F was organized at Liverpool, N. Y., April 24, 1861, and arrived at Elmira, May 2, 1861. "Company G was organized at Canastota, April 25, 1861, and arrived at Elmira, May 2, 1861. "Company I was organized at Syracuse, April 26, 1861, and arrived at Elmira, May 2, 1861. "Company I was organized at Syracuse, April 26, 1861, and arrived at Elmira, May 2, 1861. "Company K was organized at Batavia, April 24, 1861, and arrived at Elmira, May 2, 1861. "Elmira was the point of mobilization of organizations in the upper part of the State. While the companies may have been organized at different points the command as a whole was mustered in to the United States service at Elmira, the term of service being for three months. Subsequent changes in the organization of the regiment and the units composing it were very great. On February 8, 1862, companies of the 12th Militia organized in New York city, joined the battalion of five companies of this regiment, the 12th New York Volunteers. It must therefore be considered that interest in this color and for its preservation is not local in the city of Syracuse but extends over a large portion of the State. "The present condition of this color is such that its very preservation and existence will depend upon its retention by the Adjutant-General of the State. The silk is so badly worn and tattered that exposure or slight handling would soon destroy its very existence. "The policy of the State, indorsed by the Grand Army of the Republic, has been to deny all such requests for the transfer of the battle flag to the custody of others. Thousands and thousands of visitors, descendants of war veterans, visit the capitol to look at the colors carried by their parents. "I would therefore request your disapproval of this measure. Respectfully, "(Signed) NELSON H. HENRY, "The Adjutant-General." The objections set forth by the Adjutant-General seem to me conclusive, and the bill is, therefore, not approved. (Signed) CHARLES E. HUGHES. |